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“Impossible. Lady Susan would never have harmed Pen,” Tobias said. “They were close friends.”

“Someone killed that young woman,” Michael argued, “and you would be wise to support Neatham’s investigation of other suspects. So, do be quiet.”

Hugh kept his intrigued stare on Audrey. “What would be her motive?”

“Jealousy. Lady Susan has feelings for Tobias. Unrequited, of course. Tobias cared for Miss Harwood.”

“He rejected Lady Susan roundly two weeks ago,” Michael added.

Hugh nodded, considering the idea and likely seeing the snags in the theory. “It would have been a lot of work for a young woman to manage within one hour.”

“It is worth looking into at least,” Michael said.

“I will speak to her. Get her alibi for last night,” Hugh said. But he didn’t sound convinced it would yield a plausible result.

Audrey stood from the chair, her back a bit sore and her abdomen tight. She longed for a hot bath but pushed the selfish desire to the side for now. “I am seeing her tomorrow. Lady Susan managed to slip me a note, arranging for the meeting. She clearly wants to speak to me without her mother present.”

A shadow of skepticism flickered in Hugh’s dark brown eyes. But it was Tobias who astutely observed, “If she killed Penelope, why would she wish to speak to you? Surely, not to confess?”

The likelihood of that happening was slim, Audrey admitted. But there was at least some hope that Lady Susan would share valuable information. Something that might open another avenue of inquiry.

“I will come with you,” Hugh said.

Michael stepped forward. “As will I.”

Instantly, Audrey’s chest cinched.

“No, Your Grace, I cannot allow that,” Hugh said. “We don’t want to frighten off the young woman.”

Audrey held up her hand. “That is why I will be going alone.” She pointedly glared at her husband and the duke.

“You just named her as a possible murder suspect,” Hugh argued. “You cannot meet her on your own.”

“I will take Carrigan with me. He will keep me safe, if so needed,” she said. Lady Susan would treat the driver like any other servant: as if he were invisible. Whereas a viscount or duke would only intimidate her.

“We will discuss it later,” Hugh grumbled. He then turned his attention to Tobias. “Would Calvin Messinger have married Penelope against his father’s wishes?”

Tobias nodded. “Yes, I believe so. When he returned from his tour.”

Michael glared at his brother. “Is Miss Harwood the reason why you sat the tour out? Tell me you did not stay in London just so you could try to turn her attentions toward you?”

A flush lit Tobias’s cheeks, and he leaped to his feet so swiftly, Audrey half expected him to explode in anger. Somehow, he managed to rein in his temper, and when he spoke it was with controlled firmness. “That is not why I stayed. The grand tour never interested me. And to be honest…” He hitched his chin. “I had other plans.”

“Plans? What plans? You’ve been doing nothing but carousing and gambling,” the duke said.

Tobias adjusted his rumpled cravat. “That is because I’ve made an investment in an establishment, brother, and I’m learning all I can of the business.”

At the word investment, Michael’s eyes turned hawk-like. “What establishment have you invested in, exactly?”

The young man cleared his throat. “A new gaming hall. The Golden Hand. Nigel Wheeler and I have both gone in with the owner.”

Tension crackled through the room. Michael seemed to turn to stone. He stared at his brother, thunderstruck, and Audrey held her breath. To her great surprise, however, all Michael did was bare his teeth and order Tobias to the carriage. The young man did as he was told, though with his chin high in a display of pride. Audrey suspected that once they were alone in the carriage, all of Berkeley Square would hear Michael’s roars.

“Keep me apprised of your investigation, Neatham, will you?” the duke said, then with a solemn nod, strode from the room.

“I’d say Tobias is in for a trouncing,” Hugh said as the tension carried from the room in Michael’s wake. “Investing in a gaming hall? I hope he knows what he’s doing, though I sorely doubt it.”

“He is young,” Audrey said, though he was just a handful of years younger than she was.